Attachment for writing instruments



Aug. 28, 1934.

P. S. HAUTON ATTACHMENT FOR WRITING INSTRUMENTS Filed Nov. 28, 1932INVENTOR PAUL S. HAUTON BY HIS ATTORNEY I wa Patented Aug. 28, 1934UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ATTACHMENT FOR. WRITING INSTRUDIENTS 1Claim.

This invention relates to means for promoting the ease and accuracy withwhich writing instruments may be used and more especially to 5 auxiliarymeans for such writing instruments as have a fixed taper as is found forinstance at the writing end of the conventional mechanical pencil.Mechanical pencils often have a smooth slippery finish which includesthe tapered writing end. Such finish while enhancing the appearance ofthe pencil, nevertheless, renders a firm grip of the pencil difficult,if not impossible,

particularly in those designs in which the taper extends back suchdistance that the finger tip in normal writing position rests on thefinished taper. The pressure required to write with the long tapereddesigns almost invariably causes the finger tip to slip toward thewriting point, re-

sulting in inaccuracy in the writing and fatigue to the writer. I

Some of the objects of the invention are to provide means which willfacilitate maintenance of the finger tips in proper position withrespect to the point, which will conform rather closely to theconventional shape and which will prevent the writing instrument fromrolling, particularly if round.

While an attachment adapted to be slipped over a pencil is shown in theBroschart patent of 1921, numbered 1,395,735, for the purpose ofcushioning the fingers and preventing them from slipping, thisattachment is designed for use with the non-mechanical type of pencilwhich has a taper which varies on sharpening the pencil. In anattachment which is confined to the portion of the pencil back of thetaper, awkward finger position for writing necessarily results, becausethe finger tips are spaced too far from the point.

comprehensively stated, the invention comprehends an annular protuberantportion located a fixed distance from the writing point to afford a stopfor preventing the fingers from slipping. More specifically stated, theinvention comprises a detachable member which can be easily slipped overthe writing end of the instrument which is internally shaped to conformto the tapered end of the writing instrument so that an annularprotuberant portion is accurately positioned with respect to the writingpoint, thereby affording an arrangement which will prevent the fingersslipping to a position too near the point for convenient operation. Theside of the annular protuberant portion opposite to the writing pointmay, and preferably has, a plurality of inclined flattened surfacesagainst which the finger tips may bear to afford an effective grip andalso to prevent the pencil from rolling.

While one embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawingaccompanying this application and forming part thereof, it is to be un-60 derstood that such embodiment is merely illustrative of theunderlying principles of the invention so as to afford a clearunderstanding thereof to those skilled in the art and is not intended aslimiting the invention to the specific form disclosed therein.

In said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the invention showing it in use, and

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the invention applied to a pencil.

Continuing now by way of a more detailed description, a mechanicalpencil is indicated in its, entirety by A and has the conventionaltapered portion B at the writing end of the pencil. A detachable memberindicated in its entirety by C and preferably consisting of acomparatively soft resilient material, such as rubber, is moulded orotherwise shaped to form at one end an inside conical taper Ccorresponding to the taper B of the pencil A and merging at D with thecylindrical sleeve portion D the inside of which conforms to the bodyportion of the pencil behind the taper. The taper C provides means foraccurately positioning the member 0 at the writing end of the pencil Aso that the annular protuberant portion F may be properly located theproper distance back from the writing point to afford a stop for thefingers to maintain them in proper position for effective use of thepencil. Inclined flattened portions E are formed on the protuberantportion F which is of greater outside diameter than the rest of theattachment so that a writing instrument having this attachment in use,when dropped on a surface will rest on a flattened portion which willthereby prevent roll. The attachment, except for the slightlyprotuberant portion F, conforms closely to the conventional pencil linesand does not detract from the appearance of the pencil when theattachment is in use.

It is to be understood that instead of a detachable member, the pencilcasing might be cut away and the resilient material might be seated inthe recess thus formed.

I claim:

An attachment for writing instruments consisting of a hollow resilientmember having a tapered bore at the tip end and a bore of uniformdiameter merging with the widest part of the tapered bore, the materialat the end of the member in the region of the tapered bore swelling fromthe tip end outwardly toward the opposite end, to form an annularprotuberant portion spaced from the tip end and a plurality ofperipherally disposed dished inclined finger receiving openings disposedaround the protuberant portion on the side opposite to the tip to arrestslip of the fingers toward the tip.

PAUL S. HAUTON.

